James H. Lewis (1881-1959) was born in Baltimore to parents Samuel D. Lewis and Katherine Kehoe. The Lewis Family lived on South Washington Street in Canton. James Lewis dropped out of Polytechnic Institute while in the tenth grade while simultaneously becoming interested in photography. He began taking interior shots of his home as early as 1896.

In 1905 James Lewis met Theresa Holland (who lived with her parents, Richard and Catherine Holland at 505 South Eden Street) and the two eloped to Ellicott City before making their home on Orleans Street. Around 1906 Richard Holland had a country home built on Southern Avenue in what was then Baltimore County, where James Lewis took many of his photographs. Eventually, the young Lewis family moved in with Theresa’s family on Southern Avenue. James and Theresa had three children: Claire, James Jr., and Estelle.

Collection Origin

Gift of John F. Hennessy, Jr., 2002-2003.

Scope and Content

The collection consists of forty-six boxes of glass negatives. Images mostly depict late 19th century, early 20th century family life and East Baltimore neighborhoods. Some photographs may depict Allentown, Pennsylvania because after World War I began, James was hired by The Trojan Powder Company.